Mechanism for raising aircraft hangar doors



Get. 2l, 1952 A. D. MARGISON ET AL 2,514,835

MECHANISM FOR RAISING AxRcRAFT HANGAR nooRs Filed'May 6, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 2, 1952 A. D. MARGISON ETAL MECHANISM FOR RAISING AIRCRAFT HANGAR DOORS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6. 1949 EVM! [als l ARTHUR .D MNM/50N ADAM 6m?? y' Haye Oct. 21, 1952 A. D. MARGlsoN ETAL MECHANISM FOR RAISING AIRCRAFT HANGAR DooRs 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 6, 1949 y. WZ d Oct. 2l, 1952 A. D. MARGlsoN ETAL 2,614,835

MECHANISM Foa RAIsING AIRCRAFT HANGAR nooRs Filed May 6, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 7'0 ack/Ag /08 SHOES CLSED Oct. 21, 1952 A. D. MARGISON ETAL MECHANISM FOR RAISING AIRCRAFT HANGAR nooRs Filed May 6, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 O B M m ,M 7 83 3 M fm f/ f f /W/ /7 verda/:r ARTHUR MAAG/so/v DAM Patented Oct. 21, 1952 MECHANISM FOR RAISING AIRCRAFT HANGrAR DOORS w Arthur Donald Margison and Adam Craigon,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignors to Margi- `son & Babcock, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application May 6, 1949, Serial No. 91,734 Y This invention relates craft hangars and specically the mounting and 'arrangementof aircraft hangar doors.

In conventional aircraft hangar construction the'doors are moved either from 'side compartmentslaterally forclosure or from the regionof the roof structure Ydownwardly-for closure.- In 'theerst mentioned type of arrangement, the area of the door openings is limited by therequired storage spaceY or receiving compartments for the doors in the open position. In` some cases this has been modified by allowing thedoors toslide in parallel relation over one another. However, maximum. freedom still is not accomplished. In respect to the suspended type ofV door this allows morfefreedom in the door opening and is particularly` advantageous from `this aspect. However,` a serious diiiiculty arises `in providing a roof or truss structure which is sulliciently heavy to carrythe suspended type oidoor particularly in the larger type of aircraft hangar.' Therefore, it will be appreciated that in prior aircraft .hangar door arrangements the weight ofv the door;` not only leads `to high cost of installation bothkv in thelaterally moving typeI and the susi u Another` object of the invention is to provide an improvement in a hangar door arrangement for aircraft hangars wherein a hangar door is foldable into a pit extending below thefloor level and is supported and actuable 4by meanswithin the pitfor raising the door and wherein these actuating means form the sole means of support forthe door.` t Affurther object of the inventionV is to` provide a door ofathe type referred to herein for an aircraft hangar `and means for actuating same of y the; fluid-pneumatic type wherein the dead weight of the door is substantially counter-bal ancedl by initial compressible fluid pressure when the door is in the full open position and Whereby Vfurther fluid ypressure is employed` for raising y the door. t i

i A still further object of the invention is to provide means-for actuating a door oi `the class described as before in which the door is supported within a pit'by a plurality of tubular pistcnelements, certain of which are` actuatedby air pressure and at least one other of which is actuated bya hydraulic ram, the air pressure preferably being only sufficient to overcome the ydead weight of the door `and its accessories.

:claims (C1. 268-58).

to improvements in air- With these and other objects in view the invention relates to improvements in an aircraft hangar with respect to a receiver. compartment for a hangar door and comprising a pit extending below the iioor level of the hangar and designed to receive the full depth of a door when the latter is in the full open position. Means are also provided within the pit so that theside and top edges of thedoor are unobstructed and which constitute the vsole means of support for the door except as may be required inthe form of locating pins engaging the upper edge of the ctioor when` the latter is in the full closed posiion.

Other objects of the invention will be appreciated by a study of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Inthe drawings, wherein one door and the mounting of the door is required to be illustrated to skilled persons: v

Figure l is 4an elevation of the rear or inner yfaceof a hangar doorof the invention, illustratin g 4the manner'of mounting the same in a pit extending below floor level` l.and indicating the actuatingV mechanism therefor.

Figure 2 is sectional view 2-2 of Figure 1.

Y.Figure 3 is a sectional view-3.3 of Figure 1.v

Figure 4 isanothe`r operative view of Figure 3 `showing the door in the lowered position.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrohydraulic circuit incident to the actuation of the hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement .of Figure 2 utilized in the raising of the door and illustrating the position of the hydraulic components for the open position of the door.

Figure 6 -is a view rcorresponding to Figure 5 with a further operative position of the components corresponding to the closed or raised position of the door.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of` a locking shoe employed in locking the-door in the closed or in the open position.

Figure 8 is an enlarged part of a sectional view of the interlocking mechanism onthe doors.

Figure!) isa sectional viewof the hydroleopneumatic device of simplified form according to the invention. i

In specific reference to the drawings, it will be appreciated-that the structural arrangement disclosed is merely one suitable design of door mech-A anism according `to the invention, the inherent characteristic ci which involves the placement of the door in a, pit belowiiloor level of an aircraft `Thus referring to Figure 1, the door .Ill

.@lthllgh-bengillustrated as comprised of the folding panels and l2 may be in one unit if desired. In `the:particular illustration each of the doors is' comprised of a frame preferably formed of channel members |3 constituting the sheet metal or the like.

running transversely and which carries' a'weather stripping Il which is engagea'ble byv a-flange and weatherstripping arrangement IB and IS' ofthe lower panel preferably on a plurality of tubes such as the tubes 20, 2| and 22. Asnoted in Figure 2 the tube 2| is fastened to the tubular portion 249 of bracket mounting 25 by' ahollow thread screw 25. Thisscrewpassesbelow'thebracket 25 to thread into Hthe upper endy of the tubular component `2l which in 'turn fastensfina similar manner by meansL of screw 28v tofbracket' 29 lwhich engages the upper'end of the Vcomponent 3|). T-heother end of component 35j is fastened in a similar manner by the hollowscrew-'3| to the'supporting 'ange 32 fromfwhich the component 33 extends downwardly to terminate in a' plugY 34 'within the ram'cylinder 35. The tubeVZl passes through the bearing'fsleeve 36 which extends from anchorage as at 3T|`to the Wall 38 of the pit 39 which extends below the floor surface 4Q of the aircraft hangar. The construction ofthe oleo-pneumatic cylinder 35`is`well known toskilled persons in regard to detailsr of the packing glands andv the like-required for sealing it being only necessary to indicate'that an input and output line 4| extends therefrom to pressure control mechanisms 'yet 'to be described. It will be noted that fluid pressure may travel'upwardlythrough the tubes 20 and 22fto the vupper-plugv 2li.` At the upper terminus ofthe' passage, however, an'air line 42 is in com munication therewith whichis in communication with the upper tubes' 2B and 22 by the common air liner 43.

The-tubes 20 and 22 are similarly constructed andarranged as'indicated in Figures 3 ande. The tube 22 illustrated is made of a plurality of sections or components similar to the manner of assembly ofthe tube .2 i and fastens to panel l2 by suitablebrackets @il and supporting flange 32 whichcarries an extendingportion 45 which is necked for passage lthrough a vertical slot in the bearing d'fwhich'is fastened'as at 41to the wall 38; The loweredge ofthe panel Hissupported by the flange i8 which has an extending portion 49 slidably fastened to the tube 22 in a similar manner to the connection at i3 in'Figure 1 which also is necked'for passage through its associated bearing 36. In this case the lower end of each of the tubes 2G and 22 carries a poppet valve 59 which may be released by excessive pressures in the oleo-pneumatic cylinder to allow fluid 52 to pass upwardly into the tube. Preferably the end region ofthe tube carries a plurality of small orices (not shown) which allow the predetermined rate of descent of the tubes even though no braking system were to be employed. Preferably the fluid 52 which may be a suitable' oil is poured into the cylinder Y 5| through an Aentry tube 53 to -a desired level 54 the fluid being employed for a cushioning effect when the doors are being lowered. Againat'the upper extremity of the tubes 2li and 22 communication is provided by fittings 55` with the common airline 63 which communicates by a flexible hose 56 (Figure 1) to a suitable reel device 5l and thence by line 53 to aA piston valve 59 controlling air pressure in the The upper panel'` |2` ismounted" 4 common line 60 controlling air brakes 6| and 52. It should be ,noted that the `hydrvaluvlic ram cylinder 35 is merely required to supplysuiiicient power to lift the door within a required period of time wherein the power consumed is suitably reduced by-the'initial air pressure in the oleopneumatic cylinders or tubes 2i) and 22. Thus, according to the invention the initial air pressure inthe oleo-pneumatic tubes 20 and 22 is suiiicient tosupport' theweight of the door and its accessories when the door is in the lowermost or open position.. As the ram cylinder 35 acts to raise the door the air pressure gradually reduces.

The hydraulic circuit .incident to the operation of the ram cylinder 35 is disclosed in Figures 5 and 6. lSuitable hydraulic fluid is stored in tank 63' from which fluid-is drawnby electricxpump 64 by line 55.# The output of: the pumrr'ltis deliveredto" line 55 which connectswitha suitable pressure relief valve'device 61 through which fluidmay `pass :backto the tank 63 when a prede-v terminedv pressure is exceeded.. Line: [i8 v com:- municatesby A lines 69E` and lil to servo-cylinder IlA which is controlled inr its'v operation' by a manually operable control lever and valve 12.- Line4| is shown which on referring' to Figure-12 serves theram cylinder 35'. Pressure is taken from'thisline byline 13 to the valve: T2 shown in the open position in Figure 5. correspondingito they line'N to control valvef15 causing therpiston 16 thereof to draw the: multiple valve components TI downwardly to the position indicated in this figure. As al consequence the line 'I8`v extending from1line 41|; Figure 2,'for communication'with line '|0`is` interrupted by element'19 and line', but'lineJSO is placed'in communication with line 8| which extends through the limitvalve' ar'-4 rangement 82 for connection to line 69. In'. this case, however, the'valve 82 is depressed against pressure of springV 83-by the door engagingv its actuatingI arm 84y which isplacedinpthe path of 'thedoorat the bottom of the pit39 (see `Figure 1). Referring alsoto Figurev 6 as'the actuating lever is'swung to change the position of the'valve componentsl indicated by numeral' 'I2l to thatxillustrated in the latter ligure, pressuresv will be reversed as between the Alines 14 and 85` and piston 16- willbe urged in the upward position illustrated. Under these circumstances, there will be a communication between lines 69- and-.4| bywayof linesV 'land 'l0 since the upper'limit valvedevice' 86 will'not obstruct the ow in the line Tf'until the door has'reached'its uppermost position. Thus, pressures may find through circuit to a'ctuate the ram piston 2| and cause the door to be raised until arm 81 is actuatedby lug 81a on tube 2| (see Figure 2) causing-'the same tomovefthe piston elements 88 upwardly for closure of line 10. In lowering the door circuit will'beprovidedthrough lines 80 and8| vas previously described with reference to Figurey 5 and lineal will berlin communication with line 65 until valve 82 is actuated by engagement with the bottom of thedoor in the full open position. It should benoted thatthe control lever valve l2 incorporates an electric contact slider 89 which engages the contact segment 9D in a predetermined arc corresponding to a range of positions between an intermediate position ofV the control lever and' the closed position thereof shown in' Figure 6. Thefcontact segment 9ll'con'- nectsto a maincontrol switch 9| which'is series connected to anormally closed depressible switch device 92-'operati-ve bythe safety ltread plate93 vin conventional manner. Electric switch S45-is lreturning to the tank 63.

It will, therefore, be apparent that when the controllever valve 12 is swung for closing of the door the electric contact slider 89 completes the electric circuit of the electric pump 64 if the main switch 9| is closed. 4Pressure is therefor built up in the hydraulic ram described and the main piston control valve 1| is urged to the upward position illustrated in Figure `6. At this point of operation the door cannot be raised until the locking shoes 96, 91 and 98 A(Figures 1 to 4) are released. `Referring to Figure 7 a typical type of locking shoe which may be employed is illustrated being comprised of a cylinder 99 including a piston member |00 normally under pressure of compression spring forc- V ing the shoe |02 with itslocking lugs |03 against and into engagement with suitable recesses |04 in one of the tubes such as tubes 20, 2| and 22. The base |05 of the cylinder 99 is anchored to the side wall of the pit 39 in a suitable manner, the locking shoes being located near the bottom oi the pit to engage serrations in the tubes located in predetermined manner near the lower extent of the tubes to determine the maximum fixed height to which the door is raised. Thus, in Figure 2, the tube 21| may have serrations as ,at I 06 for this purpose and also at |01,`the latter determining the lower locked position of the door assembly. l

r Therefore, as the control lever valve is moved to the closed position the locking shoes 9,6, 91 and 98 will be placed in communication with fluid pressure fluid as the cutaway portion |09 of the` piston moves transversely of the line. There is a momentary impulse of pressure, therefore, which cau-ses the locking shoes to withdraw from "engagement with the serrations on the tubes. At the same time, partial communication is provided during passage of the main piston control valve to its new position through the lines 10 and 18 to the ram cylinder thereby causing the 'door to be raised. As the main piston` control valve arrives at the position shown in Figure 6 pressures in the locking shoes will be released by communication provided through the return flow line ||0 which will then be in communication through the valve opening with the line ||2 ing shoes will again engage the surfaces `of the various tubes but the tubes will slide thereover as they progress upward. During the upward movement of the door and the tubes the air pres- Therefore, the locksure in the oleo-pneumatic tubes 20 and 22 will be progressively reduced having been in the first in-stance sufficient to support substantially the weight of the door and its accessories. i

As the door approaches its closed position the 6 signed to .be engaged by a depending conical or wedge-shaped ringer ||5 extending downwardly from theupperedge of the door frame |6 wherein the latter isapart of the hangar structure proper. To some extent this will avoid difliculties ywhichmay be encountered by deflections during windy weather conditions.

As thedoor reaches the final closed position the limit switch 94"'(Figures 5 and 6) will be actuated to open the circuit for the electric pump 64. The locking shoes described will also automatically engage under their spring pressure with the serrations on the tubes to'lock the doorfin the closed position.

In `opening the door the control lever valve 12 is moved to the position illustrated in Figure 5, causing the piston control valve 1| to move downwardly. During this downward movement the cutaway portion `|09 allows momentary communication in the line`|08 causing the locking shoes todisengage from the tube. It will be noted thatthe electrical circuit for the electric pump 64 will not come into operation during the openl.ing operation of the doors and that as the piston control valve 1| reaches the position illustrated in Figure 5 a through path is provided for release of pressure from the ram through the line 8| since the valve arrangement 82 will be open until the door approaches its finally closed position. The release of the locking shoes in this case also will only be momentary and it will be observed that in the positionof the control valve 1| illustrated inA Figure 5 the line ||0 will finally i arrive at a position where communication is provided between the lines 0 and I2 whereby l pressures are released from thelocking shoes and they slidably engage the downwardly moving tubes under spring pressure. Fluid pressure from the ram cylinder will continue to flow through lille 8| back t0 the tank 63 .by line 65 andi during the lowering action of the door `will be accompanied by an increase of air pressure in the oleo-pneumatic tubes or legs I2|! and 22.

It is, ofcourse, desirable that ysome means be provided for limiting the rate of descent of the` door structure and in this connection a plurality of small leakageorices in the region indicated bynumeral ||1 (Figure 4) are provided in the oleo-pneumatic tubes 20 and 22. Therefore, the num in these cylinders `will new gradually into' the tubes asy the tubes descend. If desired, suit-A able brake shoe cylindersvEI and 62 may be provided and `which are actuated by air pressure as previously described Afrom the. common line which isin communication with the tubes 20 and 22. The air brakes are 'normally released under spring pressure but are adjustable by a centrifugal type governor 59 operatively related to `a seisyn indicator seb driven by a miler ssc Vrunning on the tube 2|.

Thus, if the rate of descent of the door becomes excessive the air `brakes will act tofcompensate for the increased rate of descent by engaging thetubes with `increasing friction It may be noted here that the use of an' brakes as described is not essential where leakage orifices` are provided `suoli as in limit arm s1 wm be actuated and the une 1u j gradually severed in its communication with the line 69. In this connectionshaping of the valve aperture ||3 is preferred in order to provide "a the region ||1 of the oleo-pneumatic pistons or tubes 20 and 22.

,In the final moment ofthe door opening the arm 84 oi the limit valve 82 will be actuated by mechanism associated with the lower edge of the door, that is to say, of panel l2 so that theV final resting of the door willbe cushioned by the interruption of communication of fluid from the hydraulic ram to the tank sa. Inthis-connection it. isprefe-rredthat the valve opening- Ilbe shaped appropriately so that the door eases into its. final position of rest where `the locking shoes engage in the serra-tions of the .tube such as serrations in the region :lili oftube 2| of Figure 2 under impulse ofk their spring pressure.`

Although one practical i. device according. to thewinvention has beenV described in particular detail herein, it will be appreciated that the combination of a hydraulic device and oleopneumatic devices for actuating the door structure is only a preferred embodiment since obviously the doors .may be actuated by other mechanism well known such as worm screw. devices associated with the tubes, and the like. Certain alternatives will vbe appa-rent to skilled persons in the combinedI hydraulic and oleopneumatic combination described herein. vIn referenceto such combination it is` desired to deiineit as a hydroleo-pneumatic device, the inherent characteristics of which involve the provision of a hydraulic ram as the main lifting device and which employs av fluid of the generally recognized non-compressible class such as lubricating fluids and the like. ln conjunction with such hydraulic liftingV device a pneumatic device is provided in parallel relation therewith. That is to say, a pneumatic device employs a fluid of a type generally.recognized as belonging to the compressible classv such as air and this pneumatic device carries the compressiblelfluid at an initial pressure designed to substantially overcome `the static load of the structure to be lifted by the hydraulic device. In doing so, both the hydraulic device andthe pneumatico device must have independent reaction points and act as independent structures in :parallel relation. A further feature .which maybe embodied in the pneumatic device is the .incorporation of a non-cornpressibl'efluid to` provide a cushioning effect such asispresent in the oleo-pneumatic devices incident tothe tubes 2B and l22 previously described. It should be clearly noted that in the vlifting of heavy structures the horse power consumed is of the. utmost importance. lConventional methods'of counter-balancingv would involveyexcessively heavy structures and would necessarily yin practically all instances involve engagement of the structure at more-,than one edge thereof unless, of course, the structure were to .be lifted vby a heavy lifting structure. It has beenfound that a horsepower saving of about fifty percent may be effected in a practical installation of adevice according to the invention and this is accomplished without prohibitive expense normally .associated with counter-balancing practice. ltis. intended that the present disclosure should. not be construed inrany limiting sense other.. than that indicated by the scope of the following claims. l

` |lhe embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

We claim: i l. Anupwardly movable closure mechanism for a large opening, comprising in combination: a door having three free edges and a bottom edge, a supporting member fastened to said door 'and projecting downwardly therefrom past the lower edge, a hydraulic ram connecting to said member for raising the latter to cause said door to, close an opening, an air pressure chamber including-piston 'meansoperatively connected to saiddoor, means. for creating an air pressure in said chambery sufcient to support said doorin a position short of the closed position thereof, said door supporting member projecting below said .door a'distance greater than the depth of the door, guide means for said member defining the lower terminus of the door opening and spaced from said hydraulic ram a sucient dis.- tance toaccommodate the door when it ismoved to' a'position whereat the upper free edge thereof is adjacent saidguide means to provide a cantilever support for said door when it ismoving orclosure of said opening.

2,. An upwardly `movable closure mechanism for a large opening, comprising in combination: av door having three free edges and a bottom edge, a supporting member fastened to said door and projecting Adownwardly therefrom past-,the lower-edge; a hydraulic ram connecting to said member for raising the latter to cause said door to close an opening, an air pressure chamber including piston means operatively connected to said door, means for creating an air pressure in said chamber sufficient to support said door in a position short of the closed position thereof, said door supporting member projecting below said door a dista-nce greater. than the depth of the Y door, guide means for said member'dening the lower terminus of the door opening and spaced frornvisaid hydraulic ram a sufficient distance to accommodate the ,door when itis moved to a position whereat the upper free edge thereof is adjacent lsaid guidemeans to provide a cantilever support froinsaid door when it isfmoving for closure'of said opening, said door comprising a plurality of overlying panels, said door supporting member being fastened to one of said panels only, interlocking means on the bottom andtop edges of adjacent panels to causeconsecutive raising of said series of panels when the panel attached to said door supporting member is moved toclose the door opening.

y 3. An upwardly movable closurey mechanism or a largevopening; comprising in combination: a doorl having three free edges and a bottom edge, aA supporti-ng member fastened to said door and projecting downwardly therefrom past the lower edge, a hydraulic ram connecting to said member for raising the latter to cause said door to closean opening, an air pressure chamber including piston means operatively connected to said doorymeans for creating an air pressure in said .chamber suf'dcient tosupport said door in a position short of the closed position thereof, said door `comprising a plurality of overlying panels, said door supporting member being fastened `to one` of said panels only, interlocking means on the-bottom and top edges of adjacent panels to cause consecutive raising of said series of panels. when thepanel attached to said door supporting member is moved to close the door opening.

4. An upwardly closing door mechanism for a largeopening having upper and lower edges wherein the upper edge of the door is substantially flush with the lower edge of the opening when the door is in the lowered position, and the upper edge ofthe ldoor engages the upper edge of the opening when the door is in the raised position, and comprising in combination: a door, a support member fastened to the door between its side edges and projecting downwardly from said door past the lower edge of the door opening, a hydraulic ram for actuating saidv support member and spaced from the lower edge of the opening a distance sufficient to accommodate the full 9 depth of the door therewithin when the latter is in the lowered position, a pair of counter-balancing support members each located adjacent a side edge of the door and fastened thereto and projecting therebelow a distance corresponding to the downward projection of said rst mentioned support member, pneumatic rams at the lower ends of said counter-balancing support members each having a pressure chamber, means interconnecting the pressure chambers of said rams whereby the pressures therein may counterbalance the weight of the door and members attached thereto when the door is in the lowered position.

5. An upwardly closing door mechanism for a large opening having upper and lower edges wherein the upper edge of the door is substantially flush with the lower edge of the opening when the door is in the lowered position, and the upper edge of the door engages the upper edge of the opening when the door is in. the raised position, and comprising in combination: a door, a support member fastened to the door between its side edges and projecting downwardly from said door past the lower edge of the door opening, a hydraulic ram for actuating said support member and spaced from the lower edge of the opening a distance sufficient to accommodate the full depth of the door therewithin when the latter is in the lowered position, a pair of counter-balancing support members each located adjacent a side edge of the door and fastened thereto and projecting therebelow a distance corresponding to the downward projection of said rst mentioned support member, pneumatic rams at the lower ends of said counter-balancing support members each having a pressure chamber, means interconnecting the pressure chambers of said rams whereby the pressures therein may counterbalance the weight of the door and members attached thereto whenthe door is in the lowered position, and guide means for said door supporting member and said door counter-balancing members located outside the door opening but adjacent the lower edge thereof to support said door against wind forces when it is moving between lowered and raised positions.

6. An upwardly closing door mechanism for a large opening having upper and lower edges wherein the upper edge of the door is substantially ush with the lower edge of the opening when the door is in the lowered position, and the upper edge of the door engages the upper edge of the opening when the door is in the raised position, and comprising in combination: a door,

` a support member fastened to the' door between its `side edges and projecting downwardly from said door past the lower edge of the door opening, a hydraulic ram for actuating said support member and spaced from the lower edge of the opening a distance suicient to accommodate the full depth of the door therewithin when the latter is in the lowered position, a pair of counter-balancing support members each located adjacent a side edge of the door and fastened thereto and projecting therebelow a distance corresponding to the downward projection of said rst mentioned support member, pneumatic rams at the lower ends of said counter-balancing support members each having a pressure chamber, means interconnecting the pressure chambers of said rams whereby the pressures therein may counterbalance the weight of the door and members attached thereto when the door is in the lowered position, said door being in the form of a plurality of overlapping panels, one of which only is fastened to said door supporting member and said door counter-balancing members, means on the upper and lower edges of each panel for interconnecting adjacent panels as said door is moved to the raised position, and means for supporting said panels in substantially telescoped relationship when the door is in the lowered position.

7. An upwardly closing door mechanism for a large opening having upper and lower edges wherein the upper edge of the door is substantially flush with the lower edge of the opening when the door is in the lowered position, and the upper edge of the door engages the upper edge of the opening when the door is in the raised position, and comprising in combination: a door, a support member fastened to the door between its side edges and projecting downwardly from said door past the lower edge of the door opening, a hydraulic ram for actuating said support member and spaced from the lower edge of the opening a distance sufcient to accommodate the full depth of the door therewithin when the latter is in the lowered position, a pair of counter-balancing support members each located adjacent a side edge of the door and fastened thereto and projecting therebelow a distance corresponding to the downward projection of saidfrst mentioned support member, pneumatic rams .at the lower ends of said counter-balancing support members each having a pressure chamber, means interconnecting the pressure chambers of said rams whereby the pressures therein may counterbalance the weight of the door and members attached thereto when the door is in the lowered position, guide means for said door supporting member and said door counter-balancing members located outside the door opening but adjacent the lower edge thereof to support said door against wind forces when it is moving between lowered and raised positions, said door being in the form of a plurality of overlapping panels, one of which only is fastened to said door supporting member and said door counter-balancing members, means on the upper and lower edges of each panel for interconnecting adjacent panels as said door is moved to the raised position, and means for supporting said panels in substantially telescoped relationship when the door is in the lowered position.

ARTHUR DONALD MARGISON. ADAM CRAIGON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record :in the file of this patent:

i UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

